Septuagesima and Lent ... Already?!

The story of the Prodigal Son has always been one of my all-time favorite Biblical passages . Which may be why I have always loved Lent and meditating (in my own feeble way) on the Passion of Our Lord.

However, it always seems to me that Ash Wednesday would approach before I had a chance to figure out what I wanted to do for Lent... other than just giving up something mundane like candy. So it wasn't unusual that I'd spend half of Lent not doing much of anything penitential and the other half figuring out ways to justify eating the penitential sacrifice!

For the last decade or so I have had a fascination with Septuagesima. I discovered that this is a voluntary penitential season in preparation for the Great Fast of Lent. The time of pre-preparation so to speak. The Church in Her Wisdom must have been thinking of people like me. This is the perfect time to figure out what we want to do during Lent. Beginning, this year, on February 4th, it is, as always, a full 2-1/2 weeks before Ash Wednesday which is February 21st. Just enough time to get things organized and our minds in order to actually have a beautiful Lent. Fisheaters has some great information on Septuagesima and of course worded much nicer than I could ever put into words.

When I think of what I'd like to do for Lent, being a wife and mother-of-many, I think about what areas would be most beneficial to my family as a whole as well as my own personal growth in holiness. To accomplish this (or fail miserably!) I concentrate on a few major areas.

The Intellect - I find some good reading, something good for the mind, something spiritually uplifting, in particular spiritual reading and extra prayers, like the Stations of the Cross on Fridays for example.

The Will - I think of some area that I need to work on, some kind of a good habit to form, something good for the soul namely virtue. This can be avoiding some vice or weakness or doing various things to increase in virtue. Basically do good and avoid evil.

The Desire - I think of what things I can do away with, something for the body. Often this is in obvious things like giving up sweets, computer time and other such things.

For the children we have done a variety of things like Lenten Calendars, Crown of Thorns with flower stickers, Sacrifice Beads and daily sacrifices.

More on Lent in a later post. Start thinking about having a good and holy Lenten Season now. It's always freeing to do away with a little extra baggage!

Septuagesima Sunday

Brethren, know you not that they that run in the race, all run indeed, but one receiveth the prize? So run that you may obtain. 1Corininthians 9:24)

Rembrandt's Vineyard

So shall the last be first and the first last. For many are called but few chosen.
Matthew 1:16

Today, Septuagesima Sunday, marks the day we begin a time of voluntary penance prior to the Great Lenten Fast.  This has been dropped from the New Calendar (still held in the Old), but is a great reminder for what is coming.  This gives us 2-1/2 weeks to prepare for Lent.... rather than standing there on Ash Wednesday saying, "Hm, what am I going to do?"  and still standing there on Palm Sunday saying, "Hm, I haven't done anything yet, what should I do?"

The man of prayer needs to practise many other mortifications [in addition to charity], internal as well as external, for, as we have said, prayer is impossible without mortification of mind and body.
Fr. Alfonso Gálvez

Prayer and Reading for the soul
What will you be reading? Lent is a great time to begin spiritual reading, if you haven't been doing any, or to increase it if you already do.  There are scores of beautiful spiritual reading that isn't dull and dry.  I like books that put my soul on fire for God.  What about prayer, do you need to add prayer to your life? Add another prayer?  Have a routine. Make a plan... a plan of life...

Mortification of the flesh
What will you be doing to mortify the flesh?  Lent is a great time to curb our human appetites... and that doesn't just mean dinner or candy.  There are numerous areas beyond the belly (though that is a good place to start!). 

Virtue
What will you be doing to increase in virtue?  Something particular.  Where is a particular weakness in your soul?  Just pick one.  ONE.  I know there are many... just pick one.  Trust me.... just pick one. 

Being one who has put together many grand schemes for lent, believe me when I say, start simple.  If after 1 week (yes, I said one week.... roses grown on rocky ground sprout and then die off....) if you have mastered your simple list... add something (maybe 10 minutes instead of 5 in spiritual reading)  Slow and steady wins the race.

Septuagesim Sunday: Burying the Alleluia

After reading about burying the Alleluia on Septuagesima Sunday HERE at Fr. Z's blog, I thought we should do the same. 

 I printed up a decorated Alleluia and the chant that our Traditional Latin Mass Society had emailed out. "Benedicamus Domino Alleluia, Alleluia - Deo Gratias Alleluia, Alleluia"  (which I did sing, but didn't have much of an audience (which was good).

 While I went out for a walk, Frodo (I believe) used the skid loader to move a round bale to get to some ground that isn't frozen beneath it so that Merry could dig me a hole for our Alleluia.

 By the time I got back and went to bury our Alleluia (and the chant I stuck in there as it just seemed like a good thing to keep the Alleluia company until Easter), the hole had filled up with water.  Must have oozed in. So I believe it would be more correct to say that we drowned the Alleluia, rather than buried it.

 When Merry went to cover it with dirt the lovely disposable plastic container flipped over (it did not want to be drowned).

 Ever try to drown an Alleluia? It is not easy.  This was suppose to be nice and sacred but I'm afraid I got the giggles as it popped back up out of the ground.

 Finally!

If you would like to see a lovely way to bury the Alleluia, visit Fr. Z's blog HERE for pictures from his burying of the Alleluia. They had a lovely, probably very, very sacred service prior to a Solemn High Mass. We are so blessed to have Fr. Z in our diocese!

 In the meantime, Kili started to cry and sulk because he didn't want us to bury the Alleluia.  (Seriously?) I thought it was so comical that I wanted to get a picture but he wasn't cooperative and kept running off. Guess he just needed a little time to get the idea we won't be singing Alleluia until Easter.

 It was about this time that Poppy told him we'd get the Alleluia out when we get our Easter Baskets. That cheered him up immensely and he asked if we'd get the Alleluia out when Jesus rose from the dead and carried his banner. And then wanted to know what the banner had on it. I just said I supposed it said "Alleluia" (wasn't this suppose to be the buried word?)

 Judging by the look on his face he thought he needed to inform me of the truth.  He promptly went and got a book to show me that it was a red cross.  Methinks I had better get a standard with a red cross by Easter or I might be in trouble.

Since Nineveh 90 starts tomorrow, the day after Septuagesima Sunday, we opted to celebrate "Fat Sunday" with brownie sundaes (Costco vanilla ice cream is the best ice cream let me tell you).  Galadriel so graciously made us homemade brownies and we topped with pralines and chocolate sauce.

Septuagesima Sunday

Brethren, know you not that they that run in the race, all run indeed, but one receiveth the prize? So run that you may obtain.... I therefore so run, not as at an uncertainty; I so fight, not as one beating the air: but I chastise my body, and bring it into subjection: lest perhaps when I have preached to others, I myself should become a castaway.
1Corinthians 9:24-27; 10:1-5 snippet)

So shall the last be first and the first last. For many are called but few chosen. 

Matthew 1:16

Septuagesima Sunday, marks the day we begin a time of voluntary penance prior to the Great Lenten Fast.  This has been dropped from the New Calendar (still held in the Old), but is still a great reminder either way for what is coming.  This gives us 2-1/2 weeks to prepare for Lent.

Prayer and Spiritual Reading for the soul
Lent in a wonderful time to increase and renew our spiritual life.  

Prayer is the place of refuge for every worry, a foundation for cheerfulness, a source of constant happiness, a protection against sadness.
St. John Chrysostom

What do you need to improve on in your prayer life? Do you say your basic prayers?  Do you spend some quiet time in prayer every day?  Would you be able to make it to daily Mass? 

When we pray we speak to God; but when we read, God speaks to us.
St. Jerome

Only God knows the good that can come about by reading one good Catholic Book.
St. John Bosco

If you haven't been doing any spiritual reading Lent is a great time to begin... or to increase it if you already do.  There are scores of beautiful spiritual reading that isn't dull and dry.  I like books that put my soul on fire for God.  A few really good ones are:
Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
The Passion and Death of Jesus Christ by St. Alphonsus Liguori
The Victories of the Martyrs by St. Alphonsus Liguori

Mortification of the flesh
The more one mortifies his natural inclinations, the more he renders himself capable of receiving divine inspirations and of progressing in virtue.
St. Francis de Sales

What will you be doing to mortify the flesh?  Lent is a great time to curb our human appetites... and that doesn't just mean dinner or candy.  There are numerous areas beyond the belly (though that is a good place to start!). 

Virtue
The only true riches are those that make us rich in virtue. Therefore, if you want to be rich, beloved, love true riches. If you aspire to the heights of real honor, strive to reach the Kingdom of Heave. If you value rank and renown, hasten to be enrolled in the heavenly court of the Angels
St. Gregory the Great

What will you be doing to increase in virtue?  Pick a particular vice to rid yourself of while increasing it's opposite virtue (taken from www.fisheaters.com):
The 7 Capital Sins and their Contrary Virtues

Capital Sin	Definition	Contrary Virtue
Pride	Unrestrained appreciation of our own worth	Humility
Greed	Immoderate desire for earthly goods	Liberality
Lust	Hankering for impure pleasures	Chastity
Anger	Inordinate desire for revenge	Meekness
Gluttony	Unrestrained use of food and drink	Temperance
Envy	Sorrow over another's good fortune	Brotherly Love
Sloth	Laxity in keeping the Faith and the practice of virtue	Diligence

So... now is the time to prepare for the Great Lenten Fast... which begins on March 5th.

Septuagesima

Due to a very large project I am involved in, I'm a little late in mentioning that we are now in the Penitential Season of Septuagesima.  Previous posts are found here.  The Church used to begin to fast during this season but now there are the 2-1/2 weeks of preparing oneself for the Great Lenten Fast.  So what are we doing to prepare ourselves for Lent? This is the time to think about what sin or fault to work on, what book we will read, what pleasures we will do without.  In this planning it will also include a particular plan:

How will I work on my weakness? Being average human beings, most of us aren't conquered by being thrown off our high horse like St. Paul.  Instead, most of us have to walk the slower route with small steps.  Pick a particular part of your sinfulness to work on. It may seem small to work on a little piece of our sinfulness but if we want to make progress, slow and steady wins the race.  You can always add on.

Do I have my spiritual reading or will I wait and order it on Ash Wednesday? No, this is the time to get that book (or two).  Be ready... be prepared. Know yourself and what you can handle in your spiritual reading.  Perhaps you are over-stressed right now, picking up some tedious bit of reading just might be too much and make you want to quit. It's ok to read simple things.  The point is to spend time in reflection and getting in the habit of making spiritual reading a part of our daily lives.  Although I greatly enjoy the richness of the great saints, sometimes it's more profitable to read some simple children's books.  For that matter, pick up the Baltimore Catechism and see if you know everything in it.  :)  As I teach my children I am amazed at how much I have forgotten, or never knew, or was awakened to in some way!

What pleasures to I find myself seeking that I could do without?  Computer time, TV, movies, video games, sweets, too much food, spending money, buying unneeded items....

Or perhaps I should take the opposite route?  Eat more vegetables, eat what I'm served, take a walk

That's just a start, but do... be prepared by making a plan for lent.... I should do that too! :)

We Miss You

The sorrows of death surrounded me, the sorrows of hell encompassed me: and in my affliction I called upon the Lord, and He heard my voice from His holy temple.  I will love Thee, O Lord, my strength: the Lord is my firmament, my refuge, and my deliverer.
Introit for Septuagesima Sunday

May he rest in Peace.

Septuagesima

Today begins the penitential season preceeding the Great Lenten Fast. It is a shame this was dropped on the new calendar as it is a great reminder that for the next 2-1/2 weeks we need to prepare our minds and hearts for Lent. Fish Eaters (of course!) has great information on this liturgical season HERE!

(photo taken from www.Amazon.com)
A good friend of mine recommended this book to me... The Perfect Joy of St. Francis by Felix Timmermans and wow what a recommendation! I am about 3/4 through it and I can say I don't think I've read anything so enjoyable, beautiful and rich in spirituality. I love a book that makes me laugh and cry! It gives a nice mix of both the joys and sorrows of St. Francis of Asissi . I highly recommend it!

Lenten Calendar

I put together a little Lent and Easter Calendar for my children.... and anyone who might like it.  If you have  Page Plus X7 (.ppp extension) I can email you the booklet format but if you don't... I copied it into a PDF which I can email to you.  Here are some pictures:

 I made this to go along with the "Lent is Coming" worksheet.  There are check-list symbols for:
voluntary amendment of life, acts of penance, works of charity, spiritual reading and meditation. So... yes... works for adults as well... or... at least busy mothers!

Next year I plan to start at Septuagesima Sunday to include the pre-lenten season, and perhaps add some other things.  But for a last minute project (I needed a project...!) this will have to do.

 The Seven Last Words of Christ and some other interesting pictures.

I also included Easter week.  Although there is no fasting, I included the voluntary amendment of life since that is what we worked for to simply change in our lives and of course kept spiritual reading and meditation.

Septuagesima Sunday

Brethren, Know you not that they that run in the race, all run indeed, but one receiveth the prize? So run that you may obtain. And every one that striveth for the mastery refraineth himself from all things. And they indeed that they may receive a corruptible crown: but we an incorruptible one. Cor 9:24-27
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Today begins the Penitential Season of the Church Year. This time lasts 2-1/2 weeks before Ash Wednesday. It is a transitional period of time between Christmas and the Great Lenten Fast. I, more practically call it, the time to remember to think what we will do for Lent. I think the Church was very wise to have this time (though dropped at the switch of the calendars) otherwise suddenly it is Ash Wednesday and more suddenly it is Easter and we didn't do a thing but the usual... eat, drink and be merry. So it's time to think how we will go more deeply during the coming season of Lent, start weaning ourselves from the extras .... etc.
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I chose the picture above because of Michelangeo's striking imagery of the Evil One. I spent some time trying to blur the naughty bits without any success to which suddenly Pippin says, "Mommy, will you please put some clothes on those people?!" haha But since I was unsuccessful I shrunk it so it was small and just "gives you the idea". But it beautifully summarizes the reason for the penitential season of the Church Year.
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So what things do we do for Lent? I have not yet figured out what I will do in addition to what I already do but these are the areas I aim for:
Mind: (more) Spiritual Reading
Body: Bodily Mortification
Soul: Work on a virtue by avoiding the opposite vice
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When chosing what to do I try to be realistic and start bit-by-bit. And each week add on a little more. Of course the point isn't to just suffer through Lent and then get our chocolate bunny on Easter, the point of course is to work through these things in a more serious manner, make these ordinary things so that by Easter we have in some way mastered ourselves and have goodness to move forward with and celebrate in a more pure way and a more pure heart. It doesn't mean drop all we have worked on for 40 days and then throw it out the window. It isn't about saving all we didn't do and then indulging in it later (you know.... not saving up Green's and Black's Milk chocolate bars with almonds for 40 days and then eating them all on Easter Sunday!!!)
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And because Holy Mother Church is so good to us, the Sundays that fall during Lent fall outside the Great Lenten Fast. In my opinion of course this means in moderation. She also provides for us some very special Feast Days during Lent like Annunciation, St. Joseph, St. Patrick (for those Irish Folk among us :)